ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Railways
On 22nd April 2020, Indian Railways did record foodgrain loading of 112 rakes equivalent to 3.13 Lakh Tonnes
Indian Railways continues with its efforts to ensure that farm products like foodgrains are picked up on time and transported nationwide
From 01.04.2020 to 22.04.2020, the total food grains loaded and transported by Indian Railways was 4.58 million tonnes as compared to 1.82 million tonnes in the corresponding period last year
Indian Railways continues to make all efforts to ensure availability of essential commodities like foodgrains through its freight services during the nationwide lock down due to COVID-19.
In order to ensure that kitchens of all Indian homes continue to run normally, on a single day on 22nd April 2020, Indian Railways did record foodgrain loading of 112 rakes equivalent to 3.13 Lakh Tonnes beating previous best foodgrain loading of 92 rakes  on 9th April 2020 and 89 rakes  on 14th April 2020 and again on 18th April 2020.
From 01.04.2020 to 22.04.2020, the total food grains loaded and transported by Indian Railways was 4.58 million tonnes as compared to 1.82 million tonnes in the corresponding period last year.
Efforts have been made to ensure that farm products like foodgrains are picked up on time and also to ensure timely supply during the nationwide lock down. The loading, transportation and unloading of these essential commodities has been in progress in full swing during the lockdown period. Close association is being maintained with Ministry of Agriculture.
Prime Minister's Office
PNGRB introduces implementation of Unified Tariff-a much awaited reform in natural gas sector
PM says that it is a noteworthy reform in the energy and natural gas sector
Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board has introduced implementation of Unified Tariff-a much awaited reform in natural gas sector.
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi said that it is a noteworthy reform in the energy and natural gas sector.
In a tweet thread Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri informed that in line with objective of economic development of all regions of the country, PNGRB introduces implementation of Unified Tariff-a much awaited reform in natural gas sector.
Shri Puri also informed that this tariff mechanism will help India to achieve the ‘One Nation One Grid One Tariff’ model & also propel the gas markets in distant areas.
In reply to the tweet threads by Union Minister, the Prime Minister tweeted;
“Noteworthy reform in the energy and natural gas sector.”
Department of Space
ISRO pays tribute to Dr Vikram Sarabhai by announcing that Chandrayaan 2 Orbiter has captured the Moon images of “Sarabhai” Crater
Union Minister of State , Development of North Eastern Region , MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said here today that to mark the completion of one year of centenary celebrations of Dr Vikram Sarabhai, the Father of India's Space Programme, the Indian Space Research Organization  has sought to pay tribute to him in a special way by announcing that Chandrayaan 2 Orbiter has captured the Moon images of “Sarabhai” Crater.
The birth centenary year of Dr Sarabhai completed on 12th of August and this is a thanksgiving tribute to him, said Dr Jitendra Singh and added that the recent achievements of ISRO, which have placed India as a frontline nation of the world is a vindication of Sarabhai’s visionary dream.
"Sarabhai" Crater is named after Dr Vikram Sarabhai and around 250 to 300 kilometres east of this Crater is where the Apollo 17 and Luna 21 Missions had landed.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, it is heartening to note that on the eve of India’s 74th Independence Day, ISRO has made another contribution to add glory to India’s eventful Space journey which was valiantly initiated by Sarabhai and his team, despite several odds and constraints over six decades ago. He said, every Indian is filled with pride and confidence as inputs provided by India’s space missions are today being utilised even by those nations of the world who had started their space journey much longer before us.
As per the ISRO sources, the Sarabhai Crater captured in 3D images shows that the Crater has a depth of around 1.7 Kms taken from its raised rim and the slope of Crater walls is in between 25 to 35 degree. These findings will help the Space Scientists to understand further the process on the lunar region filled with lava.
It was further informed that Chandrayaan-2 continues to perform as per the design and providing valuable scientific data. The public release of scientific data from Chandrayaan-2 for global use will begin in October 2020.
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SNC
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Ministry of Education
Ministry of HRD and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare have jointly developed comprehensive School Health Programme  to promote health and well being of students-HRD Minister
Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Human Resources Development and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare have jointly developed comprehensive School Health Programme  under Ayushman Bharat to foster the growth, development and educational achievement of school going children by promoting their health and wellbeing. A total of eleven themes have been identified under the SHP which include Reproductive Health and HIV Prevention. These modules create awareness on the subject among adolescents.
In pursuance of the National Curriculum Framework, 2005, the Department of School & Literacy is implementing the Adolescence Education Programme  as part of the National Population Education Project . One of the learning outcomes of AEP is to make the learners aware of the concerns of adolescence, i.e. process of growing up during adolescence, HIV/AIDS and Substance  Abuse and to inculcate in them positive attitude regarding these concerns.
This information was given by the Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 44.61 Cr
More than 40 Lakh vaccine doses administered in the last 24 hours
Recovery Rate stands at 97.39%
43,654 Daily New Cases reported in last 24 hours
India's Active Caseload  presently constitutes 1.27% of total cases
Daily Positivity Rate  less than 5% for 51 consecutive days
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage exceeded 44.61 Cr yesterday. Cumulatively,44,61,56,659 vaccine doses have been administered through 53,73,439 sessions, as per the provisional report till 8 am today. 40,02,358 vaccine doses were administered in the last 24 hours.
These include:
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HCWs
|
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1st Dose
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1,02,93,723
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2nd Dose
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77,53,002
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FLWs
|
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1st Dose
|
|
1,79,07,362
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2nd Dose
|
|
1,10,20,080
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Age Group 18-44 years
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1st Dose
|
|
14,44,83,609
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2nd Dose
|
|
68,86,188
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Age Group 45-59 years
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1st Dose
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10,25,21,263
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2nd Dose
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3,62,42,655
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Over 60 years
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1st Dose
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|
7,41,18,104
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2nd Dose
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|
3,49,30,673
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Total
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44,61,56,659
The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination has commenced from 21st June, 2021. The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country.
Out of the people infected since the beginning of the pandemic, 3,06,63,147people have already recovered from COVID-19 and 41,678 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours. This constitutes an overall recovery rate of 97.39%.
India has reported 43,654daily new cases in the last 24 hours.
Less than 50,000 Daily New Cases have been reported since thirty-one continuous days. This is a result of sustained and collaborative efforts by the Centre and the States/UTs.
India’s Active Caseload today stands at 3,99,436 and active cases now constitute1.27% of the country's total Positive Cases.
With substantially ramped up testing capacity across the country, a total of 17,36,857tests were conducted in the last 24 hours in the country. Cumulatively, India has conducted over 46 crore  tests so far.
While on one side testing capacity has been enhanced across the country, Weekly Positivity Rate is currently at 2.36% and the Daily Positivity rate stands at 2.51% today. Daily Positivity rate has remained below 5% for 51 consecutive days now.
Ministry of Defence
Pakistan calls for DGMO talks
DGMO level talks on behest of Pakistan’s DGMO was held on 17 Jul 17.
During the talks the Pak DGMO raised the issues of targeting of Pak Army troops which resulted in the death of four Pakistani soldiers and one civilian in Athmuqam Sector of Pakistan occupied Kashmir opposite Indian Keren Sector, Kupwara District.
Indian DGMO in response highlighted that all Cease Fire Violations were initiated by Pakistan Army and the Indian Army only responded appropriately to them. Apart from these, firing by Indian troops was initiated against armed intruders when attempting to infiltrate from close proximity of Pak posts along the Line of Control .
DGMO also put across emphatically that the trend of infiltration along the LC continued with active support of Pak forward posts impacting peace and tranquillity along the LC and also the internal security situation. This was evident from continued attempts of sniping and targeting of our troops undertaken through cross border actions duly supported by Pakistani Army troops.
DGMO made it implicit that Indian Army reserved the right to retaliate appropriately to any incident of violation of ceasefire but is sincere in its effort of maintaining peace and tranquillity along the LC provided there was reciprocity.
Col Aman Anand
PRO 
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Cabinet
Cabinet approves Revised Cost Estimates for establishment of permanent campus of new NITs
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the Revised Cost Estimates  for establishment of permanent campuses of new National Institutes of Technology , at a total cost of Rs.4371.90 crore for the period till 2021 - 2022.
These NITs were established in the year 2009 and started functioning from academic year 2010-2011 in their respective temporary campus with very limited space and infrastructure. The projects at the permanent campus could not be completed in the manner envisaged due to late finalization of land required for construction and also the cost approved for construction works was far below the actual requirements.
With the approved Revised Cost Estimates, these NITs will be fully functional from their respective permanent campuses by 31st March, 2022. The overall student capacity in these campuses will be 6320.
NITs are Institutions of National Importance known to be among the best teaching Institutions in the field of engineering and technology and have made a remarkable presence with their high-quality technical education. These Institutes are capable of producing high quality technical manpower which will fuel entrepreneurship and generation of job opportunities throughout the country.
Special Service and Features
Gandhi Jayanthi Celebration at Kendriya Vidyalaya IIT Chennai
The 152nd Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on 2nd October 2021, was celebrated in a befitting manner at Kendriya Vidyalaya IIT Chennai.
The Vidyalaya had All Faith Prayer, Scouts and Guides, students and teachers joined the prayer to commemorate the birth anniversary of Mahathma Gandhi. The portrait of Mahatma Gandhi was garlanded as a mark of reverence. The programme was live streamed https://youtu.be/XfG5A_KKm1s. As part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav students were given the theme unsung heroes. A documentary was prepared by students. A flipbook on unsung heroes was presented and a role play was performed. Interview with her father on her great grandfather highlighted the freedom struggle undergone by our Indian freedom fighters.
The Plogging Run at vidyalaya was flagged off by Prof. PrathapHaridoss, Faculty Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, IIT Madras, VMC Chairman KV IIT Chennai.The Sports Authority of India envisaged FIT INDIA ‘Plogging Run’ as a tribute to the Mahatma Gandhi. The FIT INDIA Movement will involve behavioral change, which is possible by making it a people’s movement wherein every citizen gives time to himself for being physically active and fit. ‘Picking up litter is good for country’s health. Jogging is good for your health’. The run included jogging and picking up litter inside the Campus. Students covered 2km in and around campus. The run created awareness about fitness and cleanliness. Students plogged with their teachers The event also emphasised on the need to make India free from ‘single use plastic’.
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President's Secretariat
PRESIDENT OF INDIA GRACES THE STATE LEVEL LAUNCH OF THE THEME OF THE YEAR “THE YEAR OF POSITIVE CHANGE” OF BRAHMA KUMARIS AT RAIPUR
The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu graced the state level launch of the theme of the year “The Year of Positive Change” of Brahma Kumaris at Raipur, Chhattisgarh today .
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that today we are living in the era of technology. But it is necessary to spend some time away from electronic gadgets. This is very important for our physical as well as mental health. She urged all to develop their inner strength, keep doing positive work and stay with positive thoughts and good company. She advised to be in the company of such people who inspire to follow the right path. She said that if we live life in the right way, we can make every moment beautiful and memorable.
The President said that on one hand, our country is reaching new heights every day. Be it landing on the moon or writing new chapters in the field of sports at the world level, we are setting many records. On the other hand, there is a very serious issue. Just a few days ago, two students preparing for NEET ended their lives. Many children studying for competitive exams have committed suicide in the past. She said that competition is a positive thing that improves life. Victory and defeat are part of life. There are many examples of the fact that momentary failure often paves the way to a big success in future. She urged the family members, friends, teachers and society to understand the mentality of children and help them. She said if there is pressure of studies and competition on the children, all the stakeholders should remove that pressure with positive thinking and help them in moving ahead with confidence.
The President said that every individual has unique talent. It is good to take inspiration from others but one should understand one's own interests and abilities and choose the right direction. For this, it is necessary to communicate with self. By awakening inner-self, one can increase one's own capabilities. With positive thinking and actions, not only our own lives but also the lives of people around us can be improved.
The President was happy to note that Brahma Kumaris are working tirelessly to spread love, harmony and peace in the world. She said that it is not easy to change someone's thinking, but it could be achieved with determination and continuous efforts. She appreciated the Brahma Kumaris organization for continuously working for making the world a better place.
Please click here to see the President's Speech -
Ministry of Communications
Union Cabinet approves allotment of 4G/5G Spectrum to BSNL
Third revival package outlay stands at Rs.89,047 crore
Authorized Capital of BSNL to be increased from Rs.1,50,000 crore to Rs.2,10,000 crore
In a significant move, as part of the revival strategy, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today approved the third revival package for BSNL with the total outlay of Rs. 89,047 crore. It includes allotment of 4G/5G spectrum for BSNL through equity infusion.
The authorized capital of BSNL will be increased from Rs. 1,50,000 crore to Rs. 2,10,000 crore.
With this revival package, BSNL will emerge as a stable telecom service provider focused on providing connectivity to remotest parts of India.
The details of spectrum are as follows:
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Band
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Spectrum allotted
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Budgetary support
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700 MHz
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10 MHz paired in 22 LSAs
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Rs. 46,338.60 Cr
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3300 MHz
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70 MHz in 22 LSAs
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Rs. 26,184.20 Cr
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26 GHz
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800 MHz in 21 LSAs and 650 MHz in 1 LSA
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Rs. 6,564.93 Cr
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2500 MHz
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20 MHz in 6 LSAs and 10 MHz in 2 LSAs
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Rs. 9,428.20 Cr
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|
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Miscellaneous items
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Rs. 531.89 Cr
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Total
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Rs. 89,047.82 Cr
With this spectrum allotment, BSNL will be able to:
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- Provide pan India 4G and 5G services.
- Provide 4G coverage in rural and uncovered villages under various connectivity projects.
- Provide Fixed Wireless Access  services for high-speed internet.
- Provide services/spectrum for Captive Non-Public Network .
BSNL/MTNL revival:
- Government had approved the first revival package for BSNL/MTNL in 2019. It amounted to Rs. 69,000 Crore and brought stability in BSNL/MTNL.
- In 2022, Government approved second revival package for BSNL/MTNL amounting to Rs. 1.64 Lakh Crore. It provided financial support for capex, viability gap funding for rural landlines, financial support for de-stressing the balance sheet, and settlement of AGR dues, merger of BBNL with BSNL, etc.
- As a result of these two packages, BSNL has started earning operating profits since FY 2021-22. Total debt of BSNL has reduced from Rs. 32,944 Crore to Rs. 22,289 Crore.
- Key financials of BSNL are as follows:
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|
|
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FY 2020-21
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FY 2021-22
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FY 2022-23
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Revenue
|
|
18,595 Cr
|
|
19,053 Cr
|
|
20,699 Cr
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Operating profit
|
|
1,177 Cr
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|
944 Cr
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|
1,559 Cr
- BSNL has achieved strong growth in home fiber segment. It is providing more than 1 Lakh new connections every month. Total home fiber subscriber base of BSNL in May 2023 is 30.88 Lakh. Total revenue from home fiber last year was Rs. 2,071 Crore.
Indigenous 4G/5G technology
- Telecom technology is a strategic technology with a limited number of end-to-end technology providers in the world.
- Under the Atmanirbhar vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s own 4G/5G technology stack has been successfully developed.
- Deployment has started. After a few months of field deployment, it will be rapidly rolled out across the country on BSNL network.
Ministry of Finance
GST council approves Simplified GST Return
The GST Council in its 28th meeting held here today under the Chairmanship of Shri PiyushGoyal , Union Minister for Railways , Coal , Finance & Corporate Affairs has approved the new return formats and associated changes in law. It may be recalled that in the 27thmeeting held on 4thof May, 2018 the Council had approved the basic principles of GST return design and directed the law committee to finalize the return formats and changes in law. The formats and business process approved today were in line with the basic principles with one major change i.ethe option of filing quarterly return with monthly payment of tax in a simplified return format by the small tax payers.
All taxpayers excluding small taxpayers and a few exceptions like ISD etc. shall file one monthly return. The return is simple with two main tables. One for reporting outward supplies and one for availing input tax credit based on invoices uploaded by the supplier. Invoices can be uploaded continuously by the seller and can be continuously viewed and locked by the buyer for availing input tax credit. This process would ensure that very large part of the return is automatically filled based on the invoices uploaded by the buyer and the seller. Simply put, the process would be “UPLOAD – LOCK – PAY” for most tax payers.
Taxpayers would have facility to create his profile based on nature of supplies made and received. The fields of information which a taxpayer would be shown and would be required to fill in the return would depend on his profile.
NIL return filers  shall be given facility to file return by sending SMS.
The Council approved quarterly filing of return for the small taxpayers having turnover below Rs. 5 Cr as an optional facility. Quarterly return shall be similar to main return with monthly payment facility but for two kinds of registered persons – small traders making only B2C supply or making B2B + B2C supply. For such taxpayers, simplified returns have been designed called Sahaj and Sugam. In these returns details of information required to be filled is lesser than that in the regular return.
The new return design provides facility for amendment of invoice and also other details filed in the return. Amendment shall be carried out by filing of a return called amendment return. Payment would be allowed to be made through the amendment return as it will help save interest liability for the taxpayers.
93% of the taxpayers have a turnover of less than Rs 5 Cr and these taxpayers would benefit substantially from the simplification measures proposed improving their ease of doing business. Even the large taxpayers would find the design of new return quite user friendly.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Uttarakhand’s First Heli Services under UDAN flagged off
Ministry of Civil Aviation  today operationalized the first ever helicopter services from Dehradun’s Sahastradhara helipad to Gauchar, and Chinyalisaur under the Regional Connectivity Scheme – Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik  of Government of India. Shri Trivendra Singh Rawat, Chief Minister of Uttrakhand and Shri Pradeep Singh Kharola, Secretary, MoCA. The inauguration of the heli routes in the Uttrakhand region is in line with the objective of the Ministry of Civil Aviation to enhance the aerial connectivity of the hilly areas in the country.
MoCA awarded the Sahastradhara-Gauchar-Chinyalisaur route to Heritage Aviation under the UDAN 2 bidding process. Heritage Aviation will operate helicopter services from Sahastradhara to Gauchar and Chinyalisaur twice daily. For the Heli services, Viability Gap Funding  is provided under UDAN to keep the fares affordable for the common people. The State Government of Uttrakhand is also providing additional incentives to make the scheme more attractive.
The helicopter services from the Sahastradhara helipad to Gauchar and Chinyalisaur had been the long pending demand of the people residing in the hilly areas. The services on this route will boost the tourism sector in the Uttrakhand region and will also assist the Chaar Dhaam Yatra pilgrims as Gauchar is en route to Badrinath and Chinyalisaur is en route to Gangotri in the Uttarkashi district. Heli services under UDAN are currently being operationalised between Chandigarh to Shimla, Shimla to Dharamshala & Shimla to Kullu.
With the commencement of the Sahastradhara-Gauchar-Chinyalisaur route, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has operationalized 260 routes under UDAN. Furthermore, Pawan Hans Limited  is also going to commence the operations under UDAN from Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun to New Tehri, Srinagar  & Gauchar. With an aim to efficiently connect high priority regions  for the masses, MoCA recently invited the 4th round of bidding under UDAN which is under progress.
Senior officials of MoCA and State Government were also present at the inauguration of the route.